French-led forces take control of key north Mali town, US to help refuel warplanes
The seizure of Gao, the most populated town in Mali’s northern region, was announced by the French defence ministry and confirmed by Malian security sources on Saturday.
French-led troops recaptured the Islamist stronghold of Gao on Saturday, in a major boost to their 16-day offensive against al-Qaeda-linked rebels holding Mali’s vast desert north.
France’s Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said the nation’s troops were also advancing on Timbuktu, another key northern town held by the insurgents.
The seizure of Gao, the most populated town in Mali’s northern region, which is roughly the size of Texas, was announced by the French defence ministry and confirmed by Malian security sources.
France said troops from Niger and Chad “will pick up the baton” and that the mayor of Gao, Sadou Diallo, was due to return from the capital Bamako, 1,200 kilometres to the southwest.
“A first contingent of Malian, Chadian and Niger troops are presently in Gao to help secure it,” a Malian security source told news agency AFP by telephone from the town. They had been flown in from Niamey, capital of neighbouring Niger.
“The French and African forces are in 100 per cent control of the town of Gao,” another Malian security source said. “There is popular rejoicing and everyone is very happy.”